EPISODE 3: The Curse!

Lesson 2 (Grades 4 & 5) Ghost Lights, Mirrors and “The Scottish Play”

Lesson Description: Theatre has a very long history – 2500 years! Even Jay isn’t THAT old! Over the years, theatre has developed legends and lots of superstitions…“don’t whistle in the theatre”…”NEVER say the actual name of ‘The Scottish Play’,” etc. You might raise an eyebrow thinking they aren’t real… but why risk it? Students learn about theatre history, legends and superstitions and create a theatre superstition of their own.

Key Concepts - Theatre has a long history going back 2500 years. - Theatre includes legends and superstitions that are passed from one generation to the next.

Warm-up Review - Video Episode 3: The Curse o What is a legend? What is a superstition? Do you know any? o What are some of the superstitions and legends mentioned?

Main Event Superstitions - Use ‘The Scottish Play’ superstition and identify the three parts of a superstition: o Warning – don’t do something o Consequence – something will happen o Antidote – something to fix what happened

- Divide class into working groups of 4-6 students to create theatre superstitions using the Theatre Superstitions worksheet o Remember to incorporate what you know about theatre. o What will your warning be? o What is the consequence? o How can it be fixed?

- Each group presents their theatre superstition with the class

Options - Students create a series of 3 tableaux to perform their superstition - Students add dialogue to their tableaux to create mini improvised plays

Reflection: Discussion o Why are there legends and superstitions in theatre? o Why do you think they get passed along? Debate - Superstitions: fact or fiction?

Vocabulary: superstition, legend, consequence, antidote, dialogue, fiction, action, “The Scottish Play” NTS 7: Analyzing and explaining personal preferences and constructing meanings from classroom dramatizations and from theatre, film, TV and electronic media NTS 8: Understanding context by recognizing the role of theatre, film, TV and electronic media in daily life

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